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Dysphagia

Details

Last Updated: Wednesday, 21 May 2014 14:59

What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia occurs when there is a problem with any part of the swallowing process.

Weak tongue or cheek muscles may make it hard to move food around in the mouth for chewing.

Food pieces that are too large for swallowing may enter the throat and block the passage of air.

Not being able to start the swallowing reflex (a stimulus that allows food and liquids to move safely through the pharynx) because of problems in the central nervous system.

Weak throat muscles cannot move all of the food toward the stomach.

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What are Problems Caused by Dysphagia?

A person who cannot swallow well may not be able to eat enough of the right foods to stay healthy or maintain an ideal weight.

If foods or liquids enter the windpipe of a person who has dysphagia, and stay there, they may enter the lungs, resulting in aspiration pneumonia.

Swallowing disorders may also include the development of a pocket outside the esophagus caused by weakness in the esophageal wall. This increases the risk of chocking when lying down or sleeping.

Warning Signs of Dysphasia Observed at Mealtimes

Coughing

Choking

Gurgle-y voice quality

Wet-sounding breathing

Spillage of food or liquid from the mouth

Frequent throat clearing

Progressively slower rate of food intake

Regurgitation of food through the mouth or nose after it has been swallowed*

Food or liquid left in the mouth after a swallow

Difficulty manipulating food or liquid in the mouth

Other Warning Signs

Take these into consideration when observed together with any of the above symptoms.

Frequent congestion*

Frequent temperatures*

Consistent or significant weight loss*

*Could be indicative of a serious and possibly unrelated medical condition and should be monitored by a physician.

How is Dysphagia Treated?

There are different treatments for various types of dysphagia. Doctors and speech-language pathologists who test for and treat swallowing disorders begin by using a variety of tests that allow them to look at the parts of the swallowing mechanism.

Fiber Optic Laryngoscopy allows the doctor to look down the throat with a lighted tube

Video Fluoroscopy videotapes the patient swallowing

Ultrasound produces pictures of various stages of swallowing

Often the doctor will recommend seeing a speech-language pathologist who is trained in testing and treating swallowing disorders. The speech-language pathologist will test the person's ability to eat and drink and may teach the person new ways to swallow and suggest strategies to avoid swallowing problems.